01 April 2011

Thailand has Shown a Keen Interest in South Korea's Facilities for Submarine Repairs

01 April 2011

DSME - one of Korean big shipyard (photo : dpooperators)

S. Korea, Thailand discuss promoting ties in defense procurement

SEOUL, (Yonhap) -- South Korean and Thai defense chiefs held talks on Friday to expand cooperation in the defense procurement sector and bolster their military ties, officials said.

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his Thai counterpart, Prawit Wongsuwon, who is on a visit to Seoul, also discussed regional security issues, ministry officials said.

"The Republic of Korea and Thailand have traditionally maintained a friendly relationship, and I expect today's talks to produce fruitful results," Kim said in his opening remarks, referring to South Korea by its official name.

Thailand, which plans to buy second-hand submarines from Germany, has shown a keen interest in South Korea's facilities for submarine repairs, according to ministry officials.

The Thai defense chief arrived in Seoul on Wednesday for a four-day visit and toured defense-related companies in South Korea, including military ammunition maker Poongsan and shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the ministry said.